Fla. Stat. 320.3205
Termination, cancellation, and nonrenewal of a manufacturer/dealer agreement


(1)

A manufacturer or distributor, directly or through any officer, agent, or employee, may not terminate, cancel, or fail to renew a manufacturer/dealer agreement without good cause, and, upon renewal, may not require additional inventory stocking requirements or increased retail sales targets in excess of the market growth in the dealer’s area of sales responsibility.The manufacturer or distributor has the burden of showing good cause for terminating, canceling, or failing to renew a manufacturer/dealer agreement with a dealer. For purposes of determining whether there is good cause for the proposed action, any of the following factors may be considered:
The extent of the affected dealer’s penetration in the relevant market area.
The nature and extent of the dealer’s investment in its business.
The adequacy of the dealer’s service facilities, equipment, parts, supplies, and personnel.
The effect of the proposed action on the community.
The extent and quality of the dealer’s service under recreational vehicle warranties.
The failure to follow agreed-upon procedures or standards related to the overall operation of the dealership.
The dealer’s performance under the terms of its manufacturer/dealer agreement.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a manufacturer or distributor shall provide a dealer with at least 120 days’ prior written notice of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of the manufacturer/dealer agreement.
The notice must state all reasons for the proposed termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal and must further state that if, within 30 days following receipt of the notice, the dealer provides to the manufacturer or distributor a written notice of intent to cure all claimed deficiencies, the dealer will then have 120 days following receipt of the notice to rectify the deficiencies. If the deficiencies are rectified within 120 days, the manufacturer’s or distributor’s notice is voided. If the dealer fails to provide the notice of intent to cure the deficiencies in the prescribed time period, the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal takes effect 30 days after the dealer’s receipt of the notice unless the dealer has new and untitled inventory on hand that may be disposed of pursuant to subsection (3).
The notice period may be reduced to 30 days if the grounds for termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal are due to:
A dealer or one of its owners being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony;
The abandonment or closing of the business operations of the dealer for 10 consecutive business days unless the closing is due to an act of God, strike, labor difficulty, or other cause over which the dealer has no control;
A significant misrepresentation by the dealer materially affecting the business relationship; or
A suspension or revocation of the dealer’s license, or refusal to renew the dealer’s license, by the department.
The notice provisions of this paragraph do not apply if the reason for termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal is insolvency, the occurrence of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or bankruptcy.

(a)

The manufacturer or distributor has the burden of showing good cause for terminating, canceling, or failing to renew a manufacturer/dealer agreement with a dealer. For purposes of determining whether there is good cause for the proposed action, any of the following factors may be considered:The extent of the affected dealer’s penetration in the relevant market area.The nature and extent of the dealer’s investment in its business.The adequacy of the dealer’s service facilities, equipment, parts, supplies, and personnel.The effect of the proposed action on the community.The extent and quality of the dealer’s service under recreational vehicle warranties.The failure to follow agreed-upon procedures or standards related to the overall operation of the dealership.The dealer’s performance under the terms of its manufacturer/dealer agreement.
1. The extent of the affected dealer’s penetration in the relevant market area.
2. The nature and extent of the dealer’s investment in its business.
3. The adequacy of the dealer’s service facilities, equipment, parts, supplies, and personnel.
4. The effect of the proposed action on the community.
5. The extent and quality of the dealer’s service under recreational vehicle warranties.
6. The failure to follow agreed-upon procedures or standards related to the overall operation of the dealership.
7. The dealer’s performance under the terms of its manufacturer/dealer agreement.

(b)

Except as otherwise provided in this section, a manufacturer or distributor shall provide a dealer with at least 120 days’ prior written notice of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of the manufacturer/dealer agreement.The notice must state all reasons for the proposed termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal and must further state that if, within 30 days following receipt of the notice, the dealer provides to the manufacturer or distributor a written notice of intent to cure all claimed deficiencies, the dealer will then have 120 days following receipt of the notice to rectify the deficiencies. If the deficiencies are rectified within 120 days, the manufacturer’s or distributor’s notice is voided. If the dealer fails to provide the notice of intent to cure the deficiencies in the prescribed time period, the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal takes effect 30 days after the dealer’s receipt of the notice unless the dealer has new and untitled inventory on hand that may be disposed of pursuant to subsection (3).The notice period may be reduced to 30 days if the grounds for termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal are due to:
A dealer or one of its owners being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony;
The abandonment or closing of the business operations of the dealer for 10 consecutive business days unless the closing is due to an act of God, strike, labor difficulty, or other cause over which the dealer has no control;
A significant misrepresentation by the dealer materially affecting the business relationship; or
A suspension or revocation of the dealer’s license, or refusal to renew the dealer’s license, by the department.
The notice provisions of this paragraph do not apply if the reason for termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal is insolvency, the occurrence of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or bankruptcy.
1. The notice must state all reasons for the proposed termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal and must further state that if, within 30 days following receipt of the notice, the dealer provides to the manufacturer or distributor a written notice of intent to cure all claimed deficiencies, the dealer will then have 120 days following receipt of the notice to rectify the deficiencies. If the deficiencies are rectified within 120 days, the manufacturer’s or distributor’s notice is voided. If the dealer fails to provide the notice of intent to cure the deficiencies in the prescribed time period, the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal takes effect 30 days after the dealer’s receipt of the notice unless the dealer has new and untitled inventory on hand that may be disposed of pursuant to subsection (3).
2. The notice period may be reduced to 30 days if the grounds for termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal are due to:a. A dealer or one of its owners being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony;b. The abandonment or closing of the business operations of the dealer for 10 consecutive business days unless the closing is due to an act of God, strike, labor difficulty, or other cause over which the dealer has no control;c. A significant misrepresentation by the dealer materially affecting the business relationship; ord. A suspension or revocation of the dealer’s license, or refusal to renew the dealer’s license, by the department.
a. A dealer or one of its owners being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony;
b. The abandonment or closing of the business operations of the dealer for 10 consecutive business days unless the closing is due to an act of God, strike, labor difficulty, or other cause over which the dealer has no control;
c. A significant misrepresentation by the dealer materially affecting the business relationship; or
d. A suspension or revocation of the dealer’s license, or refusal to renew the dealer’s license, by the department.
3. The notice provisions of this paragraph do not apply if the reason for termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal is insolvency, the occurrence of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or bankruptcy.

(2)

A dealer may terminate, cancel, or not renew its manufacturer/dealer agreement with a manufacturer or distributor with or without cause at any time by giving 30 days’ written notice to the manufacturer. If the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal is for cause, the dealer has the burden of showing good cause. Any of the following items shall be deemed good cause for the proposed action by a dealer:A manufacturer being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony.The business operations of the manufacturer have been abandoned or closed for 10 consecutive business days, unless the closing is due to an act of God, strike, labor difficulty, or other cause over which the manufacturer has no control.A significant misrepresentation by the manufacturer materially affecting the business relationship.A material violation of ss. 320.3201-320.3211 which is not cured within 30 days after written notice by the dealer.A declaration by the manufacturer of bankruptcy, insolvency, or the occurrence of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or bankruptcy.

(a)

A manufacturer being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony.

(b)

The business operations of the manufacturer have been abandoned or closed for 10 consecutive business days, unless the closing is due to an act of God, strike, labor difficulty, or other cause over which the manufacturer has no control.

(c)

A significant misrepresentation by the manufacturer materially affecting the business relationship.

(d)

A material violation of ss. 320.3201-320.3211 which is not cured within 30 days after written notice by the dealer.

(e)

A declaration by the manufacturer of bankruptcy, insolvency, or the occurrence of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or bankruptcy.

(3)

If the manufacturer/dealer agreement is terminated, canceled, or not renewed by the manufacturer or distributor without cause or by the dealer for cause, the manufacturer shall, at the election of the dealer and within 45 days after termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal, repurchase:All new, untitled recreational vehicles that were acquired from the manufacturer or distributor within 18 months before the date of the notice of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal that have not been used, except for demonstration purposes, and that have not been altered or damaged, at 100 percent of the net invoice cost, including transportation, less applicable rebates and discounts to the dealer. If any of the vehicles repurchased is damaged, the amount due to the dealer shall be reduced by the cost to repair the damaged vehicle. Damage prior to delivery to the dealer will not disqualify repurchase under this subsection;All undamaged accessories and proprietary parts sold to the dealer for resale within the 12 months prior to termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal, if accompanied by the original invoice, at 105 percent of the original net price paid to the manufacturer or distributor to compensate the dealer for handling, packing, and shipping the parts; andAny properly functioning diagnostic equipment, special tools, current signage, and other equipment and machinery at 100 percent of the dealer’s net cost plus freight, destination, delivery, and distribution charges and sales taxes, if any, if it was purchased by the dealer within 5 years before termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal and upon the manufacturer’s or distributor’s request and can no longer be used in the normal course of the dealer’s ongoing business.

The manufacturer or distributor shall pay the dealer within 30 days after receipt of the returned items.

(a)

All new, untitled recreational vehicles that were acquired from the manufacturer or distributor within 18 months before the date of the notice of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal that have not been used, except for demonstration purposes, and that have not been altered or damaged, at 100 percent of the net invoice cost, including transportation, less applicable rebates and discounts to the dealer. If any of the vehicles repurchased is damaged, the amount due to the dealer shall be reduced by the cost to repair the damaged vehicle. Damage prior to delivery to the dealer will not disqualify repurchase under this subsection;

(b)

All undamaged accessories and proprietary parts sold to the dealer for resale within the 12 months prior to termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal, if accompanied by the original invoice, at 105 percent of the original net price paid to the manufacturer or distributor to compensate the dealer for handling, packing, and shipping the parts; and

(c)

Any properly functioning diagnostic equipment, special tools, current signage, and other equipment and machinery at 100 percent of the dealer’s net cost plus freight, destination, delivery, and distribution charges and sales taxes, if any, if it was purchased by the dealer within 5 years before termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal and upon the manufacturer’s or distributor’s request and can no longer be used in the normal course of the dealer’s ongoing business.

(4)

When taking on an additional line-make of recreational vehicle, a dealer shall notify in writing any manufacturer with whom the dealer has a manufacturer/dealer agreement of the same line-make at least 30 days prior to entering into a manufacturer/dealer agreement with the manufacturer of the additional line-make.

Source: Section 320.3205 — Termination, cancellation, and nonrenewal of a manufacturer/dealer agreement, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0320.­3205 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

320.02
Registration required
320.03
Registration
320.04
Registration service charge
320.05
Records of the department
320.06
Registration certificates, license plates, and validation stickers generally
320.07
Expiration of registration
320.08
License taxes
320.10
Exemptions
320.011
Administration and enforcement
320.13
Dealer and manufacturer license plates and alternative method of registration
320.14
Fractional license tax
320.15
Refund of license tax
320.015
Taxation of mobile homes
320.17
Classification of vehicles and mobile homes and assessment of license tax by department
320.18
Withholding registration
320.19
Tax lien
320.20
Disposition of license tax moneys
320.23
Taxes declared compensatory
320.023
Requests to establish voluntary checkoff on motor vehicle registration application
320.025
Registration certificate and license plate or decal issued under fictitious name
320.26
Counterfeiting license plates, validation stickers, mobile home stickers, cab cards, trip permits, or special temporary operational permits prohibited
320.27
Motor vehicle dealers
320.28
Nonresident dealers in secondhand motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, or mobile homes
320.30
Penalty for violating s
320.31
Definitions covering ss
320.031
Mailing of registration certificates, license plates, and validation stickers
320.37
Registration not to apply to nonresidents
320.38
When nonresident exemption not allowed
320.39
Reciprocal agreements for nonresident exemption
320.51
Farm tractors and farm trailers exempt
320.055
Registration periods
320.57
Penalties for violations of this chapter
320.58
License inspectors
320.60
Definitions for ss
320.61
Licenses required of motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, importers, etc
320.061
Unlawful to alter motor vehicle registration certificates, license plates, temporary license plates, mobile home stickers, or validation stickers or to obscure license plates
320.62
Licenses
320.63
Application for license
320.64
Denial, suspension, or revocation of license
320.67
Violations by dealers
320.68
Revocation of license held by firms or corporations
320.69
Rules
320.70
Penalties for violation
320.71
Nonresident motor vehicle, mobile home, or recreational vehicle dealer’s license
320.071
Advance registration renewal
320.072
Additional fee imposed on certain motor vehicle registration transactions
320.77
License required of mobile home dealers
320.081
Collection and distribution of annual license tax imposed on the following type units
320.083
Amateur radio operators
320.084
Free motor vehicle license plate to certain disabled veterans
320.086
Ancient or antique motor vehicles
320.087
Intercity buses operated in interstate commerce
320.089
Veterans of the United States Armed Forces
320.90
Notification of consumer’s rights
320.091
Vehicles held in trust
320.95
Transactions by electronic or telephonic means
320.102
Marine boat trailers owned by nonprofit organizations
320.0104
Legislative intent with respect to implementation of chapter
320.105
Golf carts and utility vehicles
320.131
Temporary tags
320.133
Transporter license plates
320.203
Disposition of biennial license tax moneys
320.261
Attaching registration license plate not assigned unlawful
320.271
Used cars
320.273
Reinstatement of license of motor vehicle dealers
320.275
Automobile Dealers Industry Advisory Board
320.371
Registration not to apply to certain manufacturers and others
320.405
International Registration Plan
320.406
Estimate of amount of tax due and unpaid
320.407
Suits for collection of unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest
320.408
Departmental warrant for collection of unpaid taxes and penalties due from motor carriers
320.409
Tax lien on property
320.411
Officer’s sale of property or franchise
320.412
Department to furnish certificate of liens
320.413
Discontinuance or transfer of business
320.414
Restraining and enjoining violation
320.415
Authority to inspect vehicles and seize property
320.416
Cooperation of other state agencies in administration of law
320.417
Foreclosure of liens
320.525
Port vehicles and equipment
320.535
Airport vehicles and equipment
320.571
Failure of person charged with misdemeanor under this chapter to comply with court-ordered directives
320.0601
Lease and rental car companies
320.0603
Vehicle-for-hire license or permit
320.605
Legislative intent
320.0605
Certificate of registration
320.0607
Replacement license plates, validation decal, or mobile home sticker
320.0609
Transfer and exchange of registration license plates
320.615
Agent for service of process
320.641
Discontinuations, cancellations, nonrenewals, modifications, and replacement of franchise agreements
320.642
Dealer licenses in areas previously served
320.643
Transfer, assignment, or sale of franchise agreements
320.644
Change of executive management control
320.645
Restriction upon ownership of dealership by licensee
320.646
Consumer data protection
320.0655
Permanent license plates for governmental entities and volunteer fire departments
320.0657
Permanent registration
320.0659
Permanent registration of trailer for hire and semitrailers
320.664
Reinstatement of license
320.695
Injunction
320.696
Warranty responsibility
320.697
Civil damages
320.698
Civil fines
320.699
Administrative hearings and adjudications
320.701
Applicability of ch. 84-69
320.0705
Semiannual registration or renewal for certain vehicles
320.0706
Display of license plates on trucks
320.0715
International Registration Plan
320.771
License required of recreational vehicle dealers
320.781
Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Protection Trust Fund
320.0801
Additional license tax on certain vehicles
320.0802
Surcharge on license tax
320.0803
Moped license plates
320.0804
Surcharge on license tax
320.0805
Personalized prestige license plates
320.0807
Special license plates for Governor and federal and state legislators
320.0815
Mobile homes and recreational vehicle-type units required to have appropriate license plates or stickers
320.0821
Wrecker license plates
320.822
Definitions
320.823
Establishment of uniform mobile home standards
320.824
Changes and modifications of standards
320.827
Label
320.830
Reciprocity
320.831
Penalties
320.832
Legislative intent
320.833
Retention, destruction, and reproduction of records
320.834
Purpose
320.835
Mobile home and recreational vehicle warranties
320.836
Presenting warranty claim
320.837
Warranty service
320.838
Civil action
320.839
Cumulative remedies
320.840
Liquidated damages
320.0841
Free motor vehicle license plates to members of Seminole and Miccosukee Indian Tribes
320.0842
Free motor vehicle license plates to veterans who use wheelchairs
320.0843
License plates for persons with disabilities eligible for permanent disabled parking permits
320.0845
License plates for members of Paralyzed Veterans of America
320.0846
Free motor vehicle license plates to active members of the Florida National Guard
320.0847
Mini truck and low-speed vehicle license plates
320.0848
Persons who have disabilities
320.861
Investigations
320.862
Revocation of license held by firms or corporations
320.0863
Custom vehicles and street rods
320.865
Maintenance of records by the department
320.0875
Purple Heart special motorcycle license plate
320.0891
U.S. Paratroopers license plate
320.0892
Motor vehicle license plates for recipients of the Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross
320.0893
Motor vehicle license plates to recipients of the Medal of Honor
320.0894
Motor vehicle license plates to Gold Star family members
320.0898
Emergency service special registration plates
320.1316
Failure to surrender vehicle or vessel
320.1325
Registration required for the temporarily employed
320.3201
Legislative intent
320.3202
Definitions
320.3203
Requirement for a written manufacturer/dealer agreement
320.3205
Termination, cancellation, and nonrenewal of a manufacturer/dealer agreement
320.3206
Transfer of ownership
320.3207
Warranty obligations
320.3208
Inspection and rejection by the dealer
320.3209
Coercion of dealer prohibited
320.3210
Civil dispute resolution
320.3211
Penalties
320.6403
Distributor agreements
320.6405
Franchise agreements
320.6407
Recall notices under franchise agreements
320.6412
Franchise termination based on fraud
320.6415
Changes in plan or system of distribution
320.6975
Procedures and remedies applicable to distributor agreements
320.6992
Application
320.08001
Electric vehicles
320.08015
License tax surcharge
320.08035
Persons who have disabilities
320.08046
Juvenile programs surcharge on license tax
320.08047
Voluntary contribution for organ and tissue donor education
320.08048
Sample license plates
320.08053
Establishment of specialty license plates
320.08056
Specialty license plates
320.08058
Specialty license plates
320.08062
Audits and attestations required
320.08068
Motorcycle specialty license plates
320.8225
Mobile home and recreational vehicle manufacturer, distributor, and importer license
320.8231
Establishment of uniform standards for recreational vehicle-type units and park trailers
320.8232
Establishment of uniform standards for used recreational vehicles and repair and remodeling code for mobile homes
320.8245
Limitation of alteration or modification to mobile homes or recreational vehicles
320.8249
Mobile home installers license
320.8251
Mobile home installation products
320.8255
Mobile home inspection
320.8285
Onsite inspection
320.8325
Mobile homes, manufactured homes, and park trailers
320.8335
Disclosure of manner used in determining length of mobile homes
320.69915
Severability

Current through Fall 2025

§ 320.3205. Termination, cancellation, & nonrenewal of a manufacturer/dealer agreement's source at flsenate​.gov